Lipscomb celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring Latino culture on campus
Grace Mestad |
This month is Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, and Lipscomb’s Office of Intercultural Development has been working to create an exciting line up of events to showcase Latino culture on Lipscomb’s campus.
Lisa Steele, assistant dean and director of intercultural development, has been apart of planning the Hispanic Heritage Month events on campus for the past four years and hopes to utilize these events to educate others on campus about the Latino culture as well as celebrate it.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important because we all need to understand our heritage and where we come from,” said Steele. “Celebrating is important for our campus because we can learn to respect and celebrate other cultures. We also hope to bring a greater awareness of Latino culture and accomplishments to our campus during our events.”
This year’s theme is “Our Story,” which focuses not only on the stories of Latinos from the Nashville community, but also students on campus as well. There will be a storytelling workshop held on Sept. 27 by Matt Paden, Lipscomb’s chief of staff, as well as an event for Latino students to share their personal stories on Oct. 10.
Mason Borneman, a junior Law, Justice & Society major, believes that the events that revolve around Hispanic Heritage Month are relevant to everyone on campus and offer a unique way to bring students together.
“I believe it is vital for us to also intentionally gain a greater understanding of the culture and the beauty it brings to the diverse fabric of our campus, our city, our state and the United States holistically,” said Borneman. “Lipscomb's Office of Intercultural Development is effectively presenting opportunities for people of all backgrounds to do more than just learn about Hispanic heritage; Lipscomb students are truly getting to experience Hispanic heritage. As we offer our own unique gifts and talents, many of which are established by our heritage, to one another, we grow in understanding, empathy and friendship.”
The Office of Intercultural Development partnered with Futuro, a professional association for Latino college students, Lipscomb’s SGA, Latino Student Services, the SAC and various faculty and staff to make these events possible.
Other Hispanic Heritage Month events on campus include free Latin Rhythms Zumba classes in the SAC as well as workshops and guest speakers during Thursday M.A.S.K. chapels. All events are free and open for anyone on campus to join.
For more information about Lipscomb’s Office of Intercultural Development visit: www.lipscomb.edu/intercultural.